End of gay blood ban should spur gay marriage law: Alliance MLA

A senior Alliance Party member has said that the end of the so-called gay blood ban should spur a change in the law around gay marriage too.

East Belfast MLA Naomi Long has submitted an urgent question to the Assembly, in which she demands to know when Sinn Fein finance minister Mairtin O Muilleoir “intends to bring forward marriage equality legislation”.

She noted that the Province is now the only part of the British Isles where the practice is not allowed, dubbing this “disgraceful”.

She said: “After yesterday’s [Thursday’s] action in relation to the gay blood ban, we need to continue the march to equal status for everyone in our society.”

She hoped that Mr O Muilleoir, who was last year given an international accolade known as the Tolerantia Award for his support for gay rights (and who now effectively controls the Province’s spending budgets) will pressure the DUP not to block such a move.